Page 73 of Deceit

I nod, starting from my first day here. I explained the notes and the gifts as best as I could. He asked if I still had anything, but apart from the letter on the bed, I had thrown them all away. He looked so disheartened by that and I won’t lie, it kind of stung. Being a disappointment is very obviously a trigger of mine.

I watch as he steps over to my bed, his eyes calculated as they roam over the rumpled comforter.

“And you’re sure it wasn’t one of your boyfriends?” he asks.

“What?” I nearly choke out.

He turns to look at me over his shoulder.

“Coach? Walcott? No?”

“They aren’t my,” I begin to say. “How did you…”

“You’re not subtle, Siren. You wear your emotions clear as day. You should work on that, it’s a dangerous habit.”

My stomach clenches as I swallow roughly and nod.

“It wasn’t them, they wouldn’t…what do I do?” I ask, hating how much my voice shakes.

“Be on alert, keep your eye out for absolutely anything that could clue you in to whoever this is,” he says as he turns to face me. “They seem to be infatuated with you which is good.”

I let out a hollow laugh as I shake my head.

“I have a stalker, how is that good?”

His eyes look straight at mine, nearly sucking the breath out of my lungs as he speaks.

“It’s better than them being violent.”

Oh god, I can’t handle this. Maybe I should call my dad. Not sure what he could, or even would be willing to do, but this is his school. I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s not like it’s my fault some creep has become interested in me.

“Why does part of me wish it just would have been you?” I groan, running a hand through my hair as I do.

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes never wavering from mine as his chest brushes against me.

“You don’t, trust me. Once I set my sights on something, I’ll stop at nothing to have it. You couldn’t handle what all that would entail, Siren.”

I feel my pulse quickening under his stare and I’m not sure if it’s out of fear or anticipation. I couldn’t tell you what I’m anticipating. I suppose that’s the point. I have no idea what to expect from him. Yesterday I thought he hated me on a cellular level for zero reason, an hour ago I thought that he was stalking me and now…I’m not sure what to think about Vincent Griggs.

Chapter Twenty Six

Vincent

Her silky blonde hair falls at her sides as she runs her fingers through it. She’s walking through the courtyard with Bartlett as always. They are discussing something that forces my Siren to toss her head back and laugh, that melodic sound running through my entire body. As usual, I’m ten steps behind her and even more usual, she has no idea.

I don’t know what it was about her that caught my eye. It could have been those wildly bright green eyes, her porcelain doll-like face or her curves that make me want to sink my teeth into every single inch of her. Or it could be something deeper, more poetic, like my soul recognizing hers and demanding I claim her.

It wasn’t an accident that I happened to stumble upon her in the cemetery, when Putnam pushed her into that hole. I overheard her promising Walcott that she would go to the bonfire, so I followed them to the party. I paid even closer attention to her when Bartlett fucked off to get laid, leaving her vulnerable and for the taking.

Of course, I had to follow her when I saw where she was being led. When I watched Putnam lay his hands on her, I wantedto gut him right then and there, bury him right beside all the scorned bodies rotting in the earth beneath our feet. I didn’t though, I sat back, and I watched. Observed.

I watched on as she screamed and begged. I saw how, for a moment, Walcott almost defied his future leader before heeling like the good little bitch he is. I studied how she panicked and fought, trying everything she could think of. I’ll be honest, I was disappointed she gave up so quickly. I thought she had more of a fighting spirit. Then again, my Siren doesn’t belong on land, she belongs in the water, right alongside me.

Meeting her came at an unexpected time, and I’ve all but abandoned my prior goals and duties, even to the Brethren, to keep my eyes on her. Hence, why this stalker situation is so frustrating.

I can’t blame her for assuming that I was the one stalking her, in her defense, I am. Just not in the noticeable way that makes her afraid and fearful of her safety, which she should be. From what she has told me, I anticipate their efforts will only increase. Which means I don’t have long to figure out who it is and eliminate them from the equation. Hopefully I can utilize the skills the Brethren so graciously gifted me, to finish the task as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It's already been a week since the dead man walking broke into my Siren’s room and violated her privacy. One week, since he officially signed his death certificate and one week of me going down the list to figure out who the fuck it is. I have a few leads to look into this afternoon, a few guys from the football team that were discussing her in the locker room the other day. It could be nothing, but it could be everything and there is only one way for me to find out.

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